Bills To Sign P Matt Haack
Matt Haack is sticking around the AFC East. The Bills have signed the former Dolphins punter, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).
The 26-year-old punter had spent his entire career with the Dolphins. Haack entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State in 2017, and he was immediately handed the starting gig in Miami. Haack ended up with 307 punts during his tenure with the Dolphins, averaging 44.7 yards per attempt. He’s hit at least a 60-yarder in each of his four seasons.
Haack will presumably snag the role that was previously held by Corey Bojorquez. It seemed like the 24-year-old’s stint with Buffalo may be coming to an end when we learned of the Bills’ interest in veteran Michael Palardy earlier this month.
Vikings To Sign LB Nick Vigil
Nick Vigil is joining the Vikings. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the free agent linebacker is signing with Minnesota. It will be a one-year deal that includes $1MM in guaranteed money. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets that the deal is worth $1.75MM, and that total could increase to as much as $2.3MM.
The 2016 third-round pick out of Utah State spent the first four seasons of his career with the Bengals, including a 2019 campaign where he started 16 games and compiled a career-high 111 tackles. Vigil had to settle for a one-year deal with the Chargers last offseason, and he also had to settle into more of a backup role with his new team. The 27-year-old ultimately started only two of his 15 games in 2020, finishing with 50 tackles and a pair of sacks.
In Minnesota, Vigil will be reunited with senior defensive assistant Paul Guenther; the veteran coach was the Bengals defensive coordinator during Vigil’s first two seasons in the NFL. This is the second notable linebacker move the Vikings have made today; the team also made major adjustments to Anthony Barr‘s contract.
Washington To Sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
Ryan Fitzpatrick is heading to Washington. The veteran quarterback has reached an agreement with Washington, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth $10MM, but the deal could grow to $12MM with incentives.
Despite having turned 38 years old in November and completing his 16th NFL season, it never really looked like the veteran was going to hang up his cleats. We heard earlier this week that Fitzpatrick intended to play in 2021, and it sounded like the quarterback would have plenty of suitors.
“For me, personally, I have to take every offseason and reassess,” Fitzpatrick said recently. “These last two years have really re-lit that fire under me. I still want to play, and I enjoy being out there playing.”
Those past two years saw Fitzmagic lead the Dolphins to a 9-11 record in his 20 starts with the organization. He completed 64.2-percent of his passes over those two campaigns, throwing for 5,620 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He also continued to produce on the ground, finishing with 150 rushing yards for the 10th time in the past 13 seasons.
Washington was looking for a quarterback after letting go of Alex Smith earlier this month. The team entered the offseason rostering both Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen.
Vikings To Sign NT Dalvin Tomlinson
The Vikings are adding to their defensive line. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that Minnesota is signing nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the deal is worth $22MM, including $20MM in total guarantees.
Tomlinson has been a consistent starter since joining the Giants in 2017. The defensive lineman has started each of the Giants’ 64 games over the past four years, averaging 26.6 tackles and two sacks per season. He had another solid season in 2020, finishing with career-highs in tackles for loss (eight) and QB hits (10). Pro Football Focus ranked Tomlinson as the 25th-best interior defender out of 126 qualified players in 2020.
While there were reports that the Giants wanted to retain Tomlinson, there were also rumblings that the organization was shopping the defensive lineman during last year’s trade deadline; the Packers were mentioned as a potential suitor for the nose tackle.
The Vikings have apparently been in the market for defensive linemen. We heard whispers earlier today that they were a potential suitor for Trey Hendrickson, who ultimately signed with the Bengals. Despite the Tomlinson signing, it sounds like Minnesota is still prepared to roll with defensive tackle Michael Pierce next season.
Texans To Sign LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
Kevin Pierre-Louis is signing a two-year deal with the Texans, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter). The deal is worth up to $8MM, per Fowler.
The multiyear offer must have been alluring to the 29-year-old linebacker, who has played for four different teams over the past four years. After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Seahawks, the Boston College product has since spent time with the Chiefs, Jets, Bears, and Washington.
He had one of the better seasons of his career in 2020 with WFT. He started a career-high 11 games, collecting 56 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. Ron Rivera was apparently a fan of Pierre-Louis, as the head coach stated that he wanted to retain the veteran linebacker.
“I’d love to get a guy with the skill set of Kevin Pierre-Louis, whether it’s Kevin or someone else,” Rivera said recently (via Sam Fortier of the Washington Post on Twitter). “I’d love to have Kevin back.”
Bengals To Sign DE Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson is getting paid following his breakout campaign. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the defensive end is signing with the Bengals. It’s a four-year deal worth $60MM, including $32MM in the first two years.
The 2017 third-round pick out of Florida Atlantic had spent his entire four-year career in New Orleans, including a 2019 campaign where he collected 4.5 sacks in 13 games (three starts). The Saints inserted him into the starting lineup in 2020, and the 26-year-old responded with a career year.
Hendrickson ultimately started each of his 15 games this past season, compiling 25 tackles, 25 QB hits, and 13.5 sacks. That performance earned him a first-team All-Pro nod following the season. Despite that standout performance, it’s not a huge surprise that Hendrickson isn’t sticking around New Orleans; we heard back in February that the defensive end may be too pricey for the cash-strapped Saints.
Earlier today, we learned that Hendrickson was connected to the Jets, Vikings, Browns, and Bengals. Cincinnati always seemed like a natural sutior for a pass rusher. The Bengals front office did not place its franchise tag on Carl Lawson, who ultimately signed with the Jets. That opened up a clear hole on Cincy’s defensive line.
Broncos Don’t Exercise S Kareem Jackson’s Option
Kareem Jackson is hitting free agency. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver reports (via Twitter) that the Broncos will not exercise the option on the veteran safety.
Klis notes that the front office tried to restructure Jackson’s contract before declining the option. Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post tweets that the move will free up $7.1MM in cap space for the Broncos.
Jackson, 32, joined the Broncos on a three-year, $33MM deal back in 2019. The veteran quickly became a favorite among teammates and the coaching staff for his veteran savvy and hard hits. Jackson ultimately started each of his 29 games for the Broncos, compiling 160 tackles, 14 passes defended, and three interceptions.
While the Broncos will surely be seeking a replacement for Jackson, the team has already added to their secondary. The team agreed to terms with cornerback Ronald Darby earlier today.
Saints To Re-Sign QB Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston will be back in New Orleans next season. The quarterback is re-signing with the Saints, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth up to $12MM. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the deal includes $5.5MM guaranteed.
Following the retirement of Drew Brees, the Saints have some question marks at the position for the first time since 2005. Barring an unexpected move, Winston will compete with teammate Taysom Hill for the starting gig in 2021. Similar to Winston, Hill will also be playing the 2021 campaign on a one-year, $12MM deal (despite the funky restructuring by the organization yesterday).
Winston, the first-overall pick in the 2015 draft, joined the Saints last offseason following five underwhelming years in Tampa Bay. Winston got into four games during his first season in New Orleans, completing seven of his 11 pass attempts for 75 yards. He also came up key during the Saints’ postseason loss to the Buccaneers, completing his lone pass attempt for 56 yards and a score.
Hill actually got eight starts and 16 appearances for the Saints this past season, leading some to wonder whether he has the upper hand on the QB competition heading into the offseason. However, the team’s been nothing but complimentary of Winston since his arrival, noting his performance in practice and on the sideline, and it sounds like the former first-rounder will have an equal chance at the starting gig in 2021.
“We had a great exposure for one year with Jameis Winston,” coach Sean Payton said last month. “We didn’t have a normal offseason, but we had enough time to see what we had with him as a player, as a leader, and as an athlete. I really like what we had a chance to see. He was a tremendous leader for this team. That’s hard to do when you come in new in free agency your first year as a backup quarterback. So that’ll be an important checkmark for us.
“And, a lot of times, you want to hold your cards closer to the vest and he is a free agent. But him, along with Taysom Hill who’s in the building, we’ve said it all along: We’re going to develop and coach those guys. And Jameis is one of those guys that we have a big interest in.”
Broncos Tender RB Phillip Lindsay
Phillip Lindsay is sticking around Denver. The Broncos are tendering the running back, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Lindsay will be slapped with the “low RFA tender,” per Schefter.
The 26-year-old exploded on the scene with 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018, earning him a Pro Bowl nod. He followed that up with another solid campaign in 2019, compiling 1,207 yards from scrimmage and seven scores.
However, the 26-year-old took a predictable step back this past season following the addition of Melvin Gordon. Lindsay ultimately got into 11 games (eight starts), compiling 502 rushing yards and one touchdown. He also added another seven receptions for 28 yards.
With Lindsay and Gordon still under contract, the team will have a crowded depth chart once again in 2021. The team is also rostering former starter Royce Freeman, Levante Bellamy, Jeremy Cox, and Damarea Crockett.
Titans Sign OL Kendall Lamm
Kendall Lamm is off to Tennessee. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the offensive tackle is signing with the Titans. It’s a two-year deal worth $8.5MM.
The 2015 undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State spent the first four seasons of his career with the Texans, starting 24 of his 55 games. He signed a two-year deal with the Browns in 2019, but he was limited to only four games during his first season in Cleveland. He got into 15 games (one start) for the Browns in 2020, appearing on 116 offensive snaps and 68 special teams snaps. The 28-year-old also hauled in a one-yard touchdown from Baker Mayfield during a Week 13 win over the Titans.
After being silent through the first half of the day, the Titans have ramped up their signings over the past hour. Lamm is the team’s third signing after linebacker Bud Dupree and defensive tackle Denico Autry.